← All freshwater rigs

FRESHWATER RIG LIBRARY

Hair Rig

The classic carp rig: the bait sits on a short “hair” behind a bare, exposed hook. The fish sucks in the bait, the hook follows, and it pricks itself against the heavy lead.

Best forCarp, tilapia, catfish
WhereLakes, reservoirs, canals
MethodBait on the bottom, rod in rests
DifficultyModerate
Hair Rig — BigJoe rig illustration
Main lineLead (inline or clip)SwivelHooklinkCurved-shank hookHair + boilie + stop

Rig diagram (component order)

Hair Rig: Main line, Lead (inline or clip), Swivel, Hooklink, Curved-shank hook, Hair + boilie + stop

Step-by-step how-to

Hair Rig — BigJoe step-by-step graphic
BigJoe step-by-step graphic

Step-by-step build instructions

  1. 1

    Tie a small loop in the end of a 6–10 in braid hooklink: that’s the hair.

  2. 2

    Thread a boilie onto the hair with a needle and lock it with a stop.

  3. 3

    Tie a knotless knot so the hair leaves the inside of the shank and the bait sits just past the bend.

  4. 4

    Tie the other end of the hooklink to a swivel.

  5. 5

    Push the swivel into a 2–4 oz inline or clip lead on the main line.

  6. 6

    Cast, set the rod in rests with a bite alarm, and let the fish hook itself.

BigJoe Tips

  • Keep the hook razor sharp; it does the work.
  • Feed the swim with a few free baits.
  • Use a landing net and unhooking mat.
  • Corn and bread work on a hair for tilapia where legal.

Variations

  • Pop-up boilie for weedy bottoms.
  • Method feeder lead packed with groundbait.
  • Two baits (“snowman”) on one hair.
  • Pellets with a bait band.

🛒 Get the parts

Everything for this rig on Amazon:

Prefer to shop by store? See BigJoe's full gear guide →

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Target Species

Blue tilapiaOreochromis aureusNile tilapiaOreochromis niloticusChannel catfishIctalurus punctatus